Following the theft of 100 livestock from a rural farm in Westmeath, Police in Cookstown have joined in on a campaign to reunite them with their owners.

Livestock theft is a rising problem across the island of Ireland.

Calves missing from a Westmeath farm

But in what is possibly the biggest campaign yet, the Dillon family of Killybeggan are taking matters into their own hands, and are asking media, police and the public to help them find their missing cows and sheep.

“We require your assistance in our countrywide effort following the biggest livestock theft in the country’s history, from our farm in county Westmeath,” Christa Dillon said.

“75 cattle and 25 sheep were taken from our lands in the early hours of last Thursday morning.

“It has decimated our lives and destroyed our livelihood,” she added.

“We are looking to raise awareness as far and wide as possible [as] we want to make it as hard as possible for the thieves to dispose of our animals.

“We want to raise awareness that this is happening to warn other stockmen and to make people realise the potential traceability problems this creates.

“There is a corridor of lawlessness along the border and it is allowing the black market cattle rustling trade to thrive. To lose our livelihood in this way is unacceptable.”